Fort Lauderdale residents eager to stop A1A, beach erosion

Community, officials meet to discuss solutions, timetable

Weeks after Mother Nature damaged a stretch of State Road A1A in Fort Lauderdale beach, concerned residents are demanding a long-term solution to erosion.

At a community meeting to discuss the destruction Monday night, county and state officials said it will be at least 18 months until a permanent solution can be implemented.

“Nothing can be done in a hurry, but 18 months seems like a long time,” said one resident.

“Kinda slow,” said resident Tim Thompson. “They could speed it up if they wanted to."

The problem began when Sandy churned off shore in late October and sent powerful waves mainland. Water crashed into four blocks, taking sand, sidewalks and the street in a 24-hundred square foot stretch.

While the community couldn’t stop the storm, people told Local 10’s Ross Palombo they are determined to protect the beach.

"You can be guaranteed we will have a solution," one man said.

Residents fear delaying a plan to stop the erosion will permanently shorten the beach even more, which could present serious consequences.

Officials said the most immediate fix is a plan to force metal pilings seven feet off shore to stem the tide of serious ground loss. The temporary fix should be in place by March, but if Commissioner Chip Lamarca from District 4 has his way, it could be even sooner.

"Try to see if we can contract the timetable and make that shorter," Lamarca said at the meeting.